Method and system for removing date and time stamp of digital image in imaging device

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to imaging devices and, particularly, to a method and system for removing date/time of a digital image in an imaging device.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally, imaging devices such as digital video and still cameras, include a real-time clock, which provides a current date/time. Images captured by an imaging device may comprise a current date/time stored as metadata within a digital image file of the captured image. If a date and time is needed to be recorded with the captured images, users operate a function for applying a date/time stamp to captured images before capturing an image.

However, the image data of the digital image will be altered because of the appended date/time stamp. Users can not obtain the integrated image information from the captured image. If a date and time do not need to be recorded with the captured images, and the user has inadvertently added the date/time stamp, the user will end up with having an imperfect image embedded with recorded date and time.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method and a system for removing a date and time metadata in an imaging device, which can overcome the above mentioned problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system for removing date/time of a digital image in an imaging device.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for removing date/time of a digital image in an imaging device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system <b>10</b> configured to remove date/time of a digital image having a predefined date/time stamp location in an imaging device. The imaging device includes a memory <b>22</b> for pre-storing a position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location. In one embodiment, the imaging device is a digital camera. When a digital image is captured by the imaging device, the predefined date/time stamp location is determined according to the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location. Specifically, the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location can be reset according to an operational input when a stamping date/time model is employed in the imaging device.

In one embodiment, each digital image captured by the imaging device may be recorded as a digital image file in the Exchangeable image file format (Exif), Tag Image File Format (TTFF) or Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) 2000 file format. The image data of the predefined date/time stamp location and the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location are written in a header of the digital image file. It is to be understood, the image data of the predefined date stamp location are created before a date is applied to the image digital.

The system <b>10</b> includes a selecting module <b>120</b>, an image processor <b>140</b>, and a removing module <b>160</b>. The selecting module <b>120</b> is configured for selecting a digital image having the predefined date/time stamp location from the imaging device, such as a digital video or still camera. The image processor <b>140</b> is configured for obtaining and saving image data and the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location from the header of the digital image file. The removing module <b>160</b> is configured for applying the image data of the predefined date/time stamp location according to the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location saved in the image processor <b>140</b>.

Advantageously, the image processor <b>140</b> may comprise a digital signal processor (DSP) for processing various functions of the imaging device. When the system <b>10</b> is used in the digital camera, the image processor <b>140</b> is the digital signal processor of the digital camera. The memory <b>22</b> can digitally store a number of digital images onto the memory <b>22</b>. The selecting module <b>120</b> selects digital images from the memory <b>22</b> of the imaging device.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for removing a date/time of a digital image in an imaging device.

In step <b>210</b>, the selecting module <b>120</b> selects the digital image from the memory <b>22</b> of the imaging device. As mentioned above, the digital image has the predefined date/time stamp location.

In step <b>220</b>, the image processor <b>140</b> obtains and saves the image data, from the digital image, and the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location from a header of the digital image file. As mentioned above, the image data of the predefined date/time stamp location are created before the date/time is applied to the image digital.

In step <b>230</b>, the removing module <b>160</b> apply the image data of the predefined date/time stamp location according to the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location. For example, the removing module <b>160</b> may change pixel values of an original date/time stamp to be the same as pixel values of the image data of the predefined date/time stamp location according to the position coordinates of the predefined date/time stamp location.

If the date/time stamp of the digital image is not need, the method and system for removing the date/time can remove the date/time to obtain the initial digital image without the date/time stamp, thereby, the whole image information can be obtained. The method and system for removing the date/time is convenient for users.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.